Rear disc brake conversion

Disc brake conversion to a 8.2 10 bolt rear end, installed in a 72 Chevy Vega. This conversion uses: STEELTECH SOLUTIONS caliper brackets, (purchased on eBay) 3rd generation Camaro rotors - AIMCO part# 5551 or BENDIX part# 314287, 80-85 Cadillac Seville calipers - WAGNER (loaded) part# left L107094 & part# right L107095. I recommend loaded calipers because they come with semi-metallic pads, new mounting bolts, bushings etc, making them ready to install. I also recommend going to a salvage yard and getting a pair of the calipers to use as cores for 2 reasons: to beat the hefty $35.00 core charge per caliper and you also will get the e-brake levers, brackets, and springs, which I understand are still available new from GM, but at a steep price.

Although it doesn't show in the pictures, I lengthened the e-brake cable brackets by 1-1/2" and used longer return springs to give more clearance by the coil springs. I'm using unmodified vega e-brake cables. The springs I found had the same wire diameter and about the same number of coils per inch. I cut them 1-1/2" longer than original.

I switched the e-brake levers side for side for coil spring clearance after these pictures were taken.

This shows the driver's side STEELTECH SOLUTIONS caliper bracket. The brackets bolt on in place of the drum brake backing plates.I also had to turn down the axle flange diameter to 5.850" so they would fit into the Camaro rotors.

This shows the passenger side flex hose to tubing junction bracket I made from a portion of a Vega front brake hose bracket welded to a section of 3" pipe, powder coated and held on with a stainless band clamp. The flex hoses are NOS Monza front ones I had sitting around. The length is perfect for this mounting location. I also had to bend up new left and right brake lines, although that is not shown.

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9 responses to “Rear disc brake conversion”

I am restoring a 1974 Vega GT. It will be stock except for an Ecotec 2.4 liter LE5 engine and a Pontiac Soltrice 5 speed transmission. I would like to replace the rear drums with disc, but use the 4 lug axle hub. Can you provide the parts that might fit like you used on the swapped rear axle on your 1972? I would like to use a 10 inch rotor with a parking brake.

what rear dics did you use, and about the c clip how do I know what that is? I’m wanting to do my 1974 vega with the dics and the information is a little cloudly for me. Can you give me the full detail? like the axles you used and tires that will fit after the change.

I have a 10 bolt 8.2 rear out of a 69 Camaro in my Vega.
It was narrowed to stock Vega width by Moser Engineering, who also made the axles.
I listed most of the special part numbers I used, but remember that applies to this rear, not the 6.5 stock Vega rear.
I don’t know of any parts that would work with the stock Vega rear, if that’s what you have in mind.
I have 275-60 x 15″ tires in the rear, but I also have flared fenders / wheel openings, which gave me room for bigger tires.
If you are going to work on the rear-end I suggest a factory shop manual.
The Chevy Vega specific shop manual shows up for sale on eBay very often.
I also would join up with this message board for lots of good information on the Chevy Vega’s & Monza’s.http://forums.h-body.org/index.php